Electric-Electronic Actuator

Abstract

An actuator housing assembly that includes an actuator housing that has a cavity that contains a phase-change material that is configured to continue to absorb heat as the phase-change material changes phases. The actuator housing assembly also includes an electronic actuator that is secured to the actuator housing. At least a portion of the cavity may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the electronic actuator. The phase-change material is configured to prevent the transfer of heat in the actuator housing to the electronic actuator. The actuator housing may also include an electronic control board that is used in controlling the operation of the electronic actuator.

1 . An actuator housing assembly comprising:
 an actuator housing;   an electronic actuator housed by the actuator housing; and   a cavity in the actuator housing, the cavity containing a phase-change material, the phase-change material formulated to absorb heat and change phase when the phase-change material obtains a phase change temperature, the phase-change material also formulated to continue absorbing heat as the phase-change material changes phases.   
     
     
         2 . The actuator housing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the phase-change material is formulated such that the phase change temperature is generally around the maximum operating temperature of the electronic actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The actuator housing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cavity is configured to surround at least a portion of the electronic actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The actuator housing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the phase-change material is selected from at least one of the following categories of phase change materials: (a) eutectics, (b) salt hydrates, (c) organic materials, or (d) high temperature salts. 
     
     
         5 . The actuator housing assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator housing is secured to a valve housing, the valve housing having a coolant inlet that is in fluid communication with a coolant reservoir, the coolant reservoir configured to accumulate coolant to provide a wall of coolant that shields at least a portion of the actuator housing from the transfer of heat from the valve housing. 
     
     
         6 . An actuator housing assembly comprising:
 an actuator housing, the actuator housing having a cavity that contains a phase-change material, the phase-change material formulated to absorb heat and change phase when the phase-change material obtains a phase change temperature, the phase-change material also formulated continue absorbing heat as the phase-change material changes phases; and   an electronic actuator secured to the actuator housing, at least a portion of the cavity configured to surround at least a portion of the electronic actuator, the phase-change material configured to prevent the transfer of heat in the actuator housing to the electronic actuator.   
     
     
         7 . The actuator housing of  claim 6  wherein the actuator housing also houses an electronic control board, the electronic control board configured to at least assist in controlling the operation of the electronic actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The actuator housing of  claim 7 , wherein the phase-change material is selected from at least one of the following categories of phase change materials: (a) eutectics, (b) salt hydrates, (c) organic materials, or (d) high temperature salts. 
     
     
         9 . The actuator housing of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator housing is secured to a valve housing, and further including a heat insulator positioned between at least a portion of the actuator housing and the valve housing when the actuator housing is secured to the valve housing to prevent the actuator housing from being in physical contact with the valve housing, the heat insulator having low heat transfer properties. 
     
     
         10 . The actuator housing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the valve housing includes a coolant inlet that is in fluid communication with a coolant reservoir, the coolant reservoir configured to accumulate a coolant to provide a wall of coolant that shields at least a portion of the actuator housing from the transfer of heat from the valve housing. 
     
     
         11 . An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
 an actuator assembly having an actuator housing, an electronic actuator, and an electronic control board, the actuator housing having a cavity, the cavity including a ring portion that generally surrounds at least a portion of the electronic actuator, at least a portion of the cavity containing a phase-change material, the phase-change material formulated to absorb heat and change phase when the phase-change material obtains a phase change temperature, the phase-change material also formulated continue absorbing heat as the phase-change material changes phases;   a valve housing operably secured to the actuator housing, the valve housing having a coolant inlet, a coolant passageway, and a coolant outlet, the coolant passageway configured to prevent, when the coolant passageway contains coolant, heat from the valve housing from transferring to the actuator housing.   
     
     
         12 . The exhaust gas recirculation valve of  claim 11 , further including a heat insulator positioned between at least a portion of the valve housing and the actuator housing, the heat insulator configured to prevent the actuator housing from physically contacting the valve housing, the heat insulator having low heat transfer properties. 
     
     
         13 . The exhaust gas recirculation valve of  claim 12 , wherein the cavity further includes at least one extension in fluid communication with the ring portion, the at least one extension also being in fluid communication with an opening, the opening being closed by the heat insulator when the actuator housing is secured to the valve housing. 
     
     
         14 . The exhaust gas recirculation valve of  claim 13 , wherein the phase-change material is formulated such that the phase change temperature is generally around the maximum operating temperature of the electronic actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The exhaust gas recirculation valve of  claim 11  further including an air gap between the valve housing and the actuator housing, the air gap configured to minimize the transfer of heat from the valve housing to the actuator housing.